so chunk- how much does the stormtrooper costume run now anyway- i remember when it was like 5 grand & i thought i read somewhere that to be in the 501st you had to buy an "official" costume. is that right ?

"Officially" you have to make your own costume, but many of the members, "find" pre-made costumes. You see, there is no official Stormtrooper costume, and anyone caught selling them is in violation of copyright infringement.

I believe the average expense for a movie quality set of armour is between $500-$1000.

thats better than i thought- i guess i was thinking of the stormtrooper they used to sell through the insider-i think it was the insider---it was a black full body stocking w/armor & i thought it was somehow official, but maybe it wasnt intended as costume wear- just decoration. Anyway- congrats chunk-maybe someday I can afford to join you !